Unsanitary Food Storage and Preparation Conditions Identified
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple unsanitary conditions in the facility's kitchens, including dried food debris on the automated dishwasher, food particles and storage bags on top of the ice maker, and dirty, dusty fans blowing into food preparation and dish cleaning areas. The kitchen floors were found to be sticky, slick, and littered with food items and trash, while trash cans and counters were visibly dirty. Seven plastic cutting boards were deeply grooved and marked, and three large baking sheets had baked-on grease and cut marks, all of which were acknowledged by the Dietary Manager as unsanitary and in need of replacement. Additionally, a broken tile was noted around a clean-out drain by the stove, and clean dishes were exposed to air from a dirty fan. Staff interviews revealed a lack of regular cleaning schedules for key equipment such as the automated dishwasher, and inconsistent cleaning practices throughout the kitchen. Dietary staff were observed failing to perform hand hygiene or wear gloves when handling resident cups and food, and continued food preparation without proper sanitation. Facility policies required routine cleaning and disinfection, as well as adherence to written cleaning schedules and staff training, but these were not followed as evidenced by the ongoing unsanitary conditions and staff admissions regarding lapses in cleaning and hand hygiene.